A really heavy melodrama, one of those unaccomplished pieces from the transition to talking movies. The moralistic tone (even for the 1930s) is not helped by some poor editing and rushed plot. So, why watch it? Well, this is one of Ingrid Berman's early films, one where she tests for the first time some of the screen qualities that years later made her one of the most iconic actresses of all time: the sweet smile, the troubled look, her capacity to show conflicting emotions in a single shot. Bergman shines among a cast that is clearly stuck in the silent era and announces a golden era for screen drama heroines, something that Selznick understood immediately. A few years later, Ingrid was on her way to Hollywood for the US version of 'Intermezzo' and the rest is history.
Plot summary
At Walpurgis Night people gather around bonfires and in restaurants to celebrate the coming of spring. Johan Borg has booked a table for two, hoping to pour new spirit into his dying marriage. He is longing for a family life, with children of his own, but his wife Clary opposes it. In fact, she has planned to undergo an illegal abortion this very afternoon - without her husband's knowledge. Because of this she refuses to spend the evening with him. Johan then invites his secretary Lena to celebrate Walpurgis Night with him at the restaurant. He explains to her that his marriage is over. Johan and Lena have a wonderful evening together and fall in love. Meanwhile the police have spotted the illegal abortionist. Clary is weak after her abortion, but escapes just before the police arrive. A small crook finds some evidence for Clary's illegal abortion, and tries to blackmail Clary and Johan. When Johan refuses to pay him more than 5.000 crowns he attacks Johan. In the turmoil the crook loses his gun, Clary picks it up and shoots him down. It is an act of self-defense, but Johan and Clary are shocked and try to erase all evidence of the deed. Johan flees the country and joins the Foreign Legion. Before committing suicide Clary confesses that she killed the crook and that Johan is innocent. Lena, who is unhappy because of Johan's disappearance, wants to bring him the news, but doesn't know where to find him.
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Worth only for Ingrid Bergman
Bergman is radiant
OK, I'm a sap for old movies. At the same time, I've never been a huge fan of Ingrid Bergman. In "Walpurgisnacht", however, I can see the beauty others mention. And I don't understand the low ratings of others. Maybe I'm not sufficiently conversant in Swedish cinema, but the tension and real human drama developed in this film were far more attainable than any of the artsy Swedish stuff so beloved by contemporary critics.
Not too bad, seen much worse
Being a Lars Hanson fan I watched this movie more interested in hearing his voice than anything else, which was actually pretty good, not a surprise as he was classically trained. It was better than I expected, but, that doesn't mean it was a great film. Swedish cinema was in decline at that time after it's zenith in the early 1920's had meant some of it's biggest talents (Hanson, Garbo, Sjostrom)had gone to America for a time . I found the beginning very preachy, but, I feel it was designed as more of a social message to Swedish film goers of the time, I'm sure research of the social history of the time would show us that there was a decline in the birth rate in Sweden etc... But, once it got going it wasn't too bad, the length was about right it didn't outstay it's welcome. I agree with the reviewer who said it was too full of coincidences, it felt claustrophobic that everyone seemed to know everyone else, but, that is a small fault. The acting wasn't that bad, the dialogue was dodgy, but all in all not bad, I have seen much, much worse and it did tackle a subject candidly that would never have made it out of a scriptwriters mind in America or Britain at that time. Give it a whirl if you get a chance, but, don't expect too much and you'll enjoy it.